Graduate Overview

Studying history at the graduate level in the UB Department of History is rigorous, stimulating and fun. Graduate students and faculty work closely together in a community committed to intellectual and civic engagement.

Students at both the MA and PhD levels receive close mentorship from a faculty that has been recognized with over 25 national fellowships and scholarly prizes in recent years, and whose members are intellectually engaged and publishing path-breaking new research. Our expertise spans time and space, with particular strengths in the fields of Race, Empire and Nation; Medicine, Disability and Science; Early Modern Societies; and The Twentieth Century World.

Our graduate students establish close relationships with advisors and mentors who guide them on the path to an Advanced Certificate, MA, or PhD. Students take part in small seminars that deepen and broaden their historical knowledge, and then become historians themselves as they make their own contributions through primary research and writing. Doctoral students receive additional training in history pedagogy, with teaching assistantships that get them into the classroom practicing the craft of history education.

All graduate students benefit from events such as scholarly talks on fascinating new research and writing and informal discussions intended to help students navigate the historical profession and the job market.

Dr. Claire Schen was the biggest single factor that attracted me to UB. Her background in the study of the religious history of Britain caught my eye when I was looking at prospective programs, but more importantly she took time to communicate with me before I applied and after I was accepted in regards to the specifics of the program, her research, and my interests.

I went to UB as an undergraduate and was blown away by the knowledge and skill of the history department faculty. The classes I attended as an undergrad were fascinating and insightful, and they shaped the way I look at the world today. When it came time to decide on a graduate school, I knew I wanted to continue my research with a department that had already taught me so much.

The program’s diversity of options prepares me for dealing with different kinds of people on different levels then what I had been used to before, and its great exposure! I see myself becoming a participant, teacher, and maybe a leader in the promotion, development, and interpretation of the local, regional, and Trans-Atlantic Public History and Arts fields (S.T.E.A.M.) I want to strongly highlight and unify in conversation our many historic sites, working museums and cultural centers of the growing yet still mostly underfunded Historic Tourism industry. More investments in these unique places can contribute greatly towards our revival as a local and regional economy.

As a freshman, I originally applied to UB as a business major. During the summer after high school graduation, I began to have doubts regarding this choice and contacted an advisor to discuss my decision. I spoke with Janeen Wilder and she was immensely helpful.

I was drawn to UB by the professors. The professors in in the history department are not only at the top of their field but have a wide field of research. Where else can you find department where one professor studies death in America while another studies nobility in early modern France?

If you enjoy learning about history, working with renowned scholars within various fields on a personal basis, creating and conducting your own research limited only by your imagination, and generally enjoy the company of fellow nerds and actually having fun in an academic setting, then I would say “Welcome to the University at Buffalo!” because you’ve found the right place!

I graduated from the University at Buffalo in May of 2009 with a BA in History and Teacher Education Minor. My degree created an opening at a non-profit agency where I assisted over-aged and under credited at-risk students earn their high school diploma.

I’ve always loved reading, writing, and telling stories. When I was in high school, I realized that there were some stories that carried more significance than others to me, and those were historical stories. I remember hearing the quote, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I currently study African American and urban history following World War II. My focus is on Black Power organizations in Rustbelt areas; I study how these organizations responded to federal initiatives such as urban renewal that often led to the destruction of minority homes and communities. Following graduation, I envision myself working for a think-tank or a non-profit organization in a policy capacity.

My favorite class within the history major so far would have to be His 391,China and the World, taught by Dr. Stapleton. As someone who went into the course with very little knowledge about Chinese history, this class provided all of the necessary background information that you would need in order to get really in depth on a lot of interesting topics I never covered in high school.

To be honest, every single class and experience during my time as a history major has been excellent. From the office staff to the faculty, everyone in the department is there to help you achieve your academic and career goals. I have taken courses on everything from the history of WWII to the cultural history of the Huron-Wendat Nation and the evolution of my favorite sport, soccer. However, my experience with the History Honors Program stood out as the most memorable and rewarding.

The most appealing aspect of the graduate program at UB is the cooperative spirit among the graduate students. Generally-speaking, the members of doctoral cohorts aid each other rather than compete with each other.

Majoring in history does not limit one to becoming a history teacher. Many industries, including banking, are recruiting liberal arts majors because of their ability to think critically, understand and manage complex social and political relationships, and develop new ideas on how companies should navigate current and future business environments.

I entered UB with an interest in History, but after taking a few History classes in my first semesters, the expertise of the faculty and the value placed on open discussion within my courses prompted me to pursue the major full-time.

I became a History Major after Dr. Claude Welch in the Political Science Department recommended Dr. Harold Langfur’s “History of Brazil” class after I made a special class presentation on civil-military relations in the Lusophone world.

I am forever indebted to the instruction of each member of the faculty I’ve encountered at UB. Each has taught me so much about the historian’s craft, but Reading Early American History with Dr. Eric Seeman and 20th Century German Readings with Dr. Andreas Daum have been my most treasured experiences thus far. As a professional, having the privilege to work as a Teaching Assistant has also been incredibly rewarding.

Initially, the prospect of working with Dr. Claire Schen drew me to UB. I became familiar with her work as a master’s student and was excited at the opportunity to study under her. What solidified my decision was the welcoming environment that I experienced during my campus visit and the interdisciplinary approach that the department takes with regards to courses and research work.

Having pursued my collegiate studies at SUNY institutions from my Associate’s degree through my Master’s degree, I like that I can work with internationally-recognized faculty at a public institution, demonstrating the value of public education to our community, state, and nation.

The staff at our institution were the main reason I was drawn to the program. I was an undecided major – I knew I wanted to do something humanities based, but was uncertain of which path to follow. All of the History professors create an environment where knowledge and self-expression are able to prosper. That environment, which I first experienced in Dr. Radford’s U.S. History II class, was what made me certain I wanted to be a History major. Every class I have taken since has only reinforced that decision, and I am not only a better student, but also a better person because of it.

I’ve always loved reading and writing about history. Graduate school for history was something I always wanted to do. The University at Buffalo’s History Department has an excellent reputation and an incredibly knowledgeable faculty. The opportunity to do graduate work at UB means you get to study and think about history at high level. That’s something that attracted me to study here.

Choosing to become a history major was never something I thought twice about. After my first semester of college, I knew that I wouldn’t enjoy my time at UB if I wasn’t reading, writing, and learning about the things I’m passionate about.

Since starting the PhD program here, I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of opportunities grad students can take advantage of. Research and conference funding is available from a number of sources, and the department has given me the opportunity to teach three of my own classes.

I truly can’t play this pick-one-game since I absolutely loved most of my classes with my whole heart. Nevertheless, to answer the question I would say my favorite experience would be working on my research projects with Dr. Stapleton. Working with her is as fulfilling/ thrilling as being on an endless adventure.

Prior to coming to UB as a transfer student in 2015, I attended St. Bonaventure University where I was an International Studies major. I had always had an affinity with anything related to history but I wasn’t so sure about majoring in it.

History is the most fascinating and intriguing subject to me because I believe it is important to study where we came from, how societies developed, and history can even teach us about our futures. Becoming part of the History Department at UB was one of my best decisions as it is full of the greatest professors on campus and the most interesting of subjects, there is something for everyone.

My favorite course in the history department was a special topics history course that studied the history of crime, punishment and imprisonment in the United States, and how each of these things relate to African American history. The course dealt with complex themes and encouraged students to think critically about modern race relations in the United States.